Method and system for adding information to an emergency call

ABSTRACT

A method and system, for adding emergency information to an emergency call, network transport of the emergency information and display to an emergency centre operator. Emergency information may comprise; position indication, ability to voice answer, indication of accompanying SMS, automated alarm etc. and is added as postfix to the emergency number by the phone as shown in FIG.  3 . The network entry node takes care of separation of dialled emergency number and emergency information, to enable normal set-up of the emergency call connection trough the network to the emergency centre where the emergency information is presented to the emergency operator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to emergency calls incommunications systems comprising; mobile terminals and a radio networkinfrastructure, fixed line phones, network nodes, emergency centres anda land based transport network. More particularly, the present inventionfacilitates a method and system for adding emergency related informationto an emergency call.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The elements involved in setting up a standard emergency call aredescribed in FIG. 1. A user of a phone, being either a mobile phone 1 awith a radio connection or a fixed phone 1 b with a fixed lineconnection, enters the emergency number.

In case of a mobile phone the number is transported as a DTAP-IAM(Direct Transfer Application Part—Initial Address Message) 2 a to theMSC (Mobile Switching Centre). The Emergency Call Handler (ECH) function4 receives the DTAP-IAM with the emergency number and is furtherresponsible for setting-up the call to the Emergency Centre (PSAP—PublicSafety Answering Point) 7 through the network 6. It therefore sends anISUP-IAM (ISDN User Part—Initial Address Message) 5 into the network 6.

In case of a fixed phone the number is transported as DTMF (Dual ToneMultiple Frequency) 2 b to a local exchange 3 b. The Emergency CallHandler (ECH) function 4 receives the emergency number and is furtherresponsible for setting-up the call to the Emergency Centre 7.

The PSAP receives the ISUP-IAM and the information 8 in the ISUP-IAM isprovided to the Emergency Operator 9, who acknowledges and theconnection between user and operator is established.

The information related to the emergency is communicated orally betweenthe user end the emergency operator. For some disabled people likedeaf/mute, this is very cumbersome, and, as always in stress situations,people might not remember information requested by the emergencyoperator. In case of automated alarms like for fire or burglary, novoice communication is possible. And finally there are situation likewhere a burglar is in the house and you certainly would not use yourvoice to answer questions of the emergency operator, moreover even thevoice of the operator from the speaker is unwanted.

In recent years several additions are made to the prior art that allowthe operator to retrieve additional information. Example is U.S. Pat.No. 6,256,489 where the operator is facilitated with the possibility toretrieve the actual location of a mobile phone.

Drawback of these methods is that information needs to be stored in aseparate database and is related to the phone number rather then theactual user or usage. If in emergency cases a speech/hearing disabledperson uses a phone, the fact that he or she is unable to give a voiceresponse will not be in the database when it is not the regularextension number. A comparable problem occurs when a person can notspeak back e.g. when hiding for a burglar.

The object of this invention is to add emergency related information toan emergency call made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The solution is provided with the current invention;

Where a phone adds the emergency information in a postfix to an enteredemergency number, and a network entry node removes the postfix again andstores it in a special parameter field of an ISUP-IAM message, and anemergency centre extracts the emergency information from the specialparameter field and displays it to the emergency operator,

Where the phone is capable of sending automatically an emergency SMS, tothe same emergency number, with further emergency information,

Where the phone is capable to switch itself to silent mode afterdetecting an emergency number followed by first one or more additionaldigits,

Where the phone is capable to switch itself to disabled mode afterdetecting an emergency number followed by second one or more additionaldigits,

Where the phone is capable to distinguish between emergency calls madeby a person or an automated system,

Where the postfix comprises an indicator field having bit positions foremergency related fact indications, and a data field for emergencyrelated data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 presents the state of the art elements involved in an emergencycall,

FIG. 2 presents the state of the art generic phone,

FIG. 3 present the sequence of steps for transport of emergencyinformation with the emergency call,

FIG. 4 presents a breakdown of combined emergency number and postfix,

FIG. 5 presents postfix examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 outlines a state of the art phone 1. The state of the art phonehas data entry means 101 via which the user can enter data 111. The dataentry means may comprise numeric or alpha numeric keyboards, specialfunction buttons or even a touch screen. It has further display andsignalling means 102 providing visual, audible or even vibrationfeedback 112 to the user. The phone has further a microphone 103 foruser or surrounding audio 113 and a speaker 104 providing audio 114 tothe user.

The interface 105 towards the network entry node depends of the type ofphone. In case of a GSM mobile phone it comprises a radio interfaceproviding the connection to the MSC as network entry node. Theconnection 115 comprises DTAP (Direct Transfer Application Part), PCAP(Positioning Calculation Application Part) etc. for signalling and PCM(Pulse Code Modulated) audio.

In case of a fixed line phone the interface 105 consists of linedrivers/receivers for analogue connection to a local exchange as networkentry node. Signalling is transmitted as DTMF, while audio is analogue.

Further elements of the phone are a processing means 107 executing phonefunctions, a memory 106 containing data, and audio circuitry 108.

FIGS. 3 and 4 outline the basics of the invention. The emergencyinformation is added 302, by the emergency routine executed by theprocessing means 107 in the phone, as a postfix 211 to the dialledemergency number 210 like “112” or “911” by a user of the phone. Thecombined emergency number and postfix 200 is sent to a network entrynode. The actual details of this operation differ slightly between amobile phone 1 a and a fixed phone 1 b.

In case of a mobile phone the user enters the emergency number 301 andpresses the ‘send’ key to initiate setting-up connection. The phoneinternal software executed by the processing means stores the digits inthe requested number field of a DTAP-IAM 2 a. The internal softwaredetects that the digits equal an emergency number and starts theemergency routine. The emergency routine adds emergency information in apostfix that it stores in the requested number field of a DTAP-IAM 2 abehind the emergency number. Then the phone sends 303 the completesequence contained in the DTAP-IAM to the as network entry node. Numberanalysis in the MSC 3 a detects the presence of an emergency number inthe requested number field, by the first digits. It therefore hands thecomplete contents of the requested number field to the ECH 4.

In case of a fixed phone 1 b the user enters the digits of the emergencynumber one by one 301 after picking up the horn. The phones internalsoftware executed by the processing means 107 transmits 303 each digitas DTMF to the Local Exchange 3 b as network entry node. By detecting adigit sequence resembling an emergency number, the phone's internalsoftware starts the emergency routine. The emergency routine assemblesthe postfix with emergency information and transmits 303 this as a DTMFsequence behind the digits already transmitted. Number analysis in theLocal Exchange receives the digits one by one. After the first digitsnumber analysis detects that the first digits comprise an emergencynumber. The already received digits are handed over to the ECH 4 thattakes further action. The ECH receives all further digits transmitted asDTMF to the Local Exchange. By analysing the already received digits theECH knows how many digits are there to follow. When the completesequence is received the ECH starts with setting-up the emergencyconnection.

Modern fixed line phone systems like home DECT have a user interfacelike a mobile phone. All digits are entered and then “send” is to bepressed to initiate connection. On the other hand digits are transmittedto the Local Exchange in DTMF as for a normal fixed phone.

Setting-up the connection and further handling are independent of mobileor fixed. The ECH acts on the complete sequence 200 comprising requestednumber 210 and postfix 211 as copied from the requested number field ofthe DTAP-IAM or from the received sequence of digits via DTMF. The ECHhas to prepare an ISUP-IAM for setting-up the connection. It thereforeremoves 304 the postfix 211 from the complete sequence 200 before therequested number 210 is copied into the called party number field of theISUP-IAM. The Postfix 211 it self is copied into an optional parameterfield of the ISUP-IAM by the ECH. The ECH sets a code for additionalemergency data in an optional parameter code field, and sets an optionalparameter length field with the length of the postfix. Then thecompleted ISUP-IAM 5 is sent 306 into the network that takes care ofrouting the ISUP-IAM to the emergency centre 7. The emergency centrereceives 306 the contents of the ISUP-IAM extracts 307 the emergencyinformation from the postfix in the optional parameter field anddisplays 308 the information 8 to the operator 9.

In an embodiment the postfix 211 comprises an indicator field 220 and adata field 230. The indicator field comprises single bit positions 240for flags indicating the type of emergency information added to anemergency call as well as special circumstances related to the emergencycall.

The features of the invention are described by means of a series ofembodiments. It shall be appreciated that numerous other uses can bemade of the current invention with out departing from the basic idea ofthe invention.

A first embodiment relates to sending the actual GPS position of a usertogether with an emergency call without the burden of interrogation ofdatabases or other network nodes. It therefore relates only to mobilephones having connection to or embedded GPS device. When an emergencycall is made with the mobile phone, the phone adds its actual GPSposition to the emergency number as a postfix.

When the user enters the digits for the emergency number via 101, aroutine in the processing means 107 detects that an emergency call ismade and retrieves the GPS information from the embedded or connectedGPS receiver and stores the information in the data field 230 of thepostfix. It sets the GPS info added flag in the indicator field 220.

The routine adds the postfix to the dialled emergency number and send ittowards the MSC 3 a. Further handling is identical to the procedure asdescribed in the introduction.

A second embodiment relates to emergency data like your own physician,who to contact, Allergy, medication use, etc. This embodiment alsorelates only to mobile phones as the information is person related andthe fact that an SMS is used for transporting the information.

A user of the mobile phone has prepared the SMS with emergency data andstored it in the phone's memory 106. When the user enters the digits forthe emergency number via 101, a routine in the processing means 107detects that an emergency call is made. It either adds the emergencydata autonomous or prompts first with a question to add, requiring theuser to press yes after entering the emergency number.

A routine in the processing means 107 prepares a postfix to theemergency number. The data field of the postfix is left empty as thedata is send as SMS with the emergency call. The processing means setsthe emergency information added flag as well as the SMS follows flag inthe indicator field 230. The routine adds the postfix to the dialledemergency number and send the complete sequence 200 towards the MSC 3 a.Further handling is identical to the procedure as described in theintroduction.

The SMS send simultaneously is also received by the MSC 3 a andforwarded directly to the emergency centre 7 comparable to a normal SMS.

As the operator is informed by the SMS follows flag and the emergencydata flag, he will look at a received SMS from the same number or suchis arranged by the emergency centre software and the SMS contents isdisplayed together with the emergency call data when the SMS arrives.

A third embodiment relates to operation in silent mode. In situationslike someone has entered the house, you want to place an emergency call,but not to speak or that any sound is made by the speaker of the phone.Also the key pressed feedback is unwanted. This third embodiment has 2variants depending on the capability to have an SMS conversation withthe emergency centre, basically the difference between a fixed and amobile phone.

When the user enters the digits for the emergency number via 101 he addsan additional digit to indicate silent mode, like “112 0” instead of“112”. The emergency routine in the processing means 107 is triggered bythe first digits comprising the emergency number. The additional digitentered signals that an emergency call has to be made in silent mode.The audible key pressed feedback is switched off and the phone speakeris disabled or turned to very low volume. Optional call in progress orline occupied indicators are turned off and display brightness is low oroff. When capable of sending and receiving SMS also the audible alarm ofsending or receiving SMS is disabled.

The emergency routine sets the silent mode, no voice back, flag in theindicator field 220 of the postfix 211. If the phone is capable ofsending SMS also the SMS follows flag is set. The routine adds thepostfix to the dialled emergency number excluding the additional digitand sends the combined sequence 200.

If the phone is capable of sending an SMS, the routine in the processingmeans 107 prepares an empty SMS towards the same emergency number. Theuser can enter emergency text and press “send”. The SMS with emergencytext is sent to the emergency centre 7 like comparable to an ordinarySMS. The emergency operator 9 is informed that the emergency call ismade in silent mode by the represented content of the indicator field.When also the flag SMS follows is shown the operator is informed that hecan have an SMS conversation. The emergency centre software shallpreferably support interactive SMS dialogue, display with the emergencycall information and without the need of re-entering the party number.

A fourth embodiment relates to the third embodiment in that voicecommunication will be problematic. In certain cases a person making anemergency call will not be able to speak or to hear due to injuries orby disabled speech or hearing. In these cases the measures taken forsilent mode are not required. The speaker volume in the contrary wouldbest be set to maximum and the display to maximum contrast. Anindication shall be given to the emergency operator that full voiceconversation is not possible. Basically this embodiment is for bothfixed and mobile phones with the addition that for mobile phones SMSsequences might be used to compensate for voice conversation.

When the user enters the digits for the emergency number via 101 he addsan additional digit to indicate disabled mode, like “112 1” instead of“112”. The emergency routine in the processing means 107 is triggered bythe first digits. The additional digit entered signals that an emergencycall has to be made in disabled mode. The phone speaker volume is set tomaximum. Optional display brightness is set for maximum contrast.

The emergency routine sets the disabled mode flag in the indicator field220 of the postfix 211. If the phone is capable of sending SMS also theSMS follows flag is set. The routine adds the postfix 211 to the dialledemergency number 210 excluding the additional digit and sends thecombined sequence 200.

If the phone is capable of sending an SMS, the routine in the processingmeans 107 prepares an empty SMS towards the same emergency number. Theuser can enter emergency text and press “send”. The SMS with emergencytext is sent to the emergency centre 7 comparable to an ordinary SMS.The emergency operator 9 is informed that the emergency call is made indisabled mode by the represented content of the indicator field. Whenalso the flag SMS follows is shown the operator is informed that he canhave an SMS conversation. The emergency centre software shall preferablysupport interactive SMS dialogue, display with the emergency callinformation and without the need of re-entering the party number.

A fifth embodiment relates to automated alarm systems at remotelocations using a mobile phone to give a fire, entering, etc. alarm toan emergency centre. Automated alarm systems can be seen as “non human”users. Specific for this embodiment is that the processing means 107 inthe phone has a direct connection with the alarm means not using theentry means 102. This direct connection can be infrared, Bluetooth, USBor the like. The automated alarm initiates the emergency call and alsoprovides a text string describing the emergency in more detail.

When the automated alarm sends the digits for the emergency number, aroutine in the processing means 107 detects that an emergency call ismade. As the digits are not received from the entry means 101 theroutine sets the automated alarm flag in the indicator field 220 as wellas the SMS follows flag.

The routine adds the postfix to the dialled emergency number and send ittowards the MSC 3 a.

Following sending the emergency call the phone enters the received textstring into an SMS and sends the SMS to the same emergency number likeany ordinary SMS. As in previous embodiments the information ispresented to the emergency operator.

This embodiment can also be used for an emergency talisman as elderly ordisabled people wear to place an emergency call when they are not ableto reach there phone.

A sixth embodiment relates to emergency data like in the secondembodiment but can now be used by both fixed and mobile phones. For thisembodiment the emergency data itself is not stored in the phone but in aseparate database accessible by the user true the internet. The databaseapplication provides the user with a key that can be used for updatingthe information in the database. This numeric key is stored by the userin the phone's memory 106.

When the user enters the digits for the emergency number via 101, aroutine in the processing means 107 detects that an emergency call ismade. In case of a fixed phone the routine sets the emergencyinformation added flag in the indicator field 230. The numeric key isfetch from the memory 106 and stored in the data field 230 of thepostfix 211. The phone sends the whole sequence 200 as DTMF sequence tothe local exchange 3 b as network entry node.

In case of a mobile phone the user is first prompted if he wants to sendthe emergency data with his emergency call, requiring the user to pressyes after entering the emergency number. Sending the emergency datanumeric key with the emergency call overrides the position informationadded as in the first embodiment. The routine in the processing means107 prepares a postfix to the emergency number. The numeric key iscopied from the memory 106 to the data field 230 of the postfix 211. Theprocessing means sets the emergency information added flag in theindicator field 230. The routine adds the postfix to the dialledemergency number and send the complete sequence 200 towards the MSC 3 a.

Alternatively a user can enter a numeric key directly after theemergency number. This is especially advantageous if the person uses aphone that is not his own. The phone detecting a number sequence afterthe emergency number then uses the provided numeric key and not the onestored in the phones memory.

Preferably the emergency centre software detects that the emergency dataadded flag is set without the SMS follows flag set. The emergency centresoftware extracts the key from the data field 230 of the postfix andaddresses the data base for retrieving the information. The emergencycentre software displays the information with the emergency callinformation to the operator.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a postfix for which some examples will begiven according to the described embodiments.

For the first embodiment 080*5806381#10112129 means:0: no special mode,8: position data added, no additional SMS, no emergency data0 LAT/LONG position information

*5806381: Lat N 58 06′ 38.1″ #10112129: Long E 101 12′ 12.9″

For the second embodiment 0*0*5806381*10112129 means:0: no special mode,*: position data added, with additional SMS, with emergency data0: LAT/LONG position information

*5806381: Lat N 58 06′ 38.1″ *10112129: Long W 101 12′ 12.9″

For the third embodiment 82 means;8: silent mode2: SMS follows, no position data or emergency data added.For the fourth embodiment 46971002451 means:4: disabled mode,6: numeric emergency data key added, SMS follows971002451: Numeric key indicating a location where to fetch standardstored emergency data.For the fifth embodiment 2*0#5806381#10112129 means:2: automated alarm mode*: position data added and SMS follows0: LAT/LONG position information

#5806381: Lat S 58 06′ 38.1″

#10112129: Long E 101 12′ 12.9″

1. A method for making an emergency call from a phone via a networkentry node to an emergency centre, comprising the steps of: Addingemergency information in a postfix to an emergency number when theemergency number is entered; Sending the emergency number with thepostfix to the network entry node; Receiving an emergency number withthe postfix by the network entry node; Removing the postfix from theemergency number with the postfix; Adding the postfix to an optionalparameter field in an ISDN User Part—Initial Address Message; Sendingthe ISDN User Part—Initial Address Message for setting up the connectionto the emergency centre; Receiving the contents of the ISDN UserPart—Initial Address Message for setting up the connection to theemergency centre, by the emergency centre; Extracting the emergencyinformation in the postfix in the optional parameter field; and,Displaying the emergency information to an emergency operator.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: Entering anemergency number followed by a first one or more additional digits by auser; Setting the phone's audible and visual means to silent mode, whendetecting the emergency number followed by the first one or moreadditional digits by the phone; Setting a silent mode indicator in theemergency information; and, Removing the first one or more digits fromthe emergency number.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising thesteps of: Entering an emergency number followed by a second one or moreadditional digits by a user; Setting the phone's audible and visualmeans to disabled mode, when detecting the emergency number followed bythe second one or more additional digits by the phone; Setting adisabled mode indicator in the emergency information; and, Removing thesecond one or more digits from the emergency number.
 4. The method ofclaim 2, for phones capable of sending SMS messages, further bycomprising the steps of: Preparing an emergency information SMS to theemergency number, by the phone; Setting an emergency information SMSfollows indicator in the emergency information; Entering emergency textinto the emergency information SMS, by the user and, Sending theemergency information SMS by the phone.
 5. The method of claim 1, forphones capable of sending SMS messages, further comprising the steps of:Preparing an emergency information SMS to the emergency number from anemergency information text string in the phone's memory, by the phone;Setting an emergency information SMS follows indicator in the emergencyinformation; Setting an emergency information data added indicator inthe emergency information; and, Sending the emergency information SMS.6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: Retrieving anemergency information key from the phone's memory, by the phone; Storingthe emergency information key in the emergency information; and, Settingan emergency information data added indicator in the emergencyinformation.
 7. The method of claim 1, for phones having an embedded, orconnected with a, position information receiver, further comprising thesteps of: Retrieving position information from the position informationreceiver, by the phone; Storing the position information in theemergency information; and, Setting a position information data addedindicator in the emergency information.
 8. The method of claim 1, forphones having connection with an automated alarm system and capable ofsending SMS messages, further comprising the steps of: Detecting thatthe user is an automated alarm system, by the phone; Setting anautomated alarm indicator in the emergency information; Preparing anemergency information SMS to the emergency number; Receiving anemergency information text string from the automated alarm; Storing theemergency information text string into the emergency information SMS;Setting an emergency information SMS follows indicator in the emergencyinformation; Setting an emergency information data added indicator inthe emergency information; and, Sending the emergency information SMS.9. A phone comprising data entry means, data display means, memory,processing means, audio input and output means, and interface towards anetwork entry node, wherein the processing means is adapted to addemergency information in a postfix to an emergency number when anemergency call is made.
 10. The phone as claimed in claim 9, wherein theprocessing means is adapted to send an emergency SMS with an emergencycall to the same emergency number.
 11. The phone as claimed in claim 9,wherein it has dedicated entry means for setting silent mode.
 12. Thephone as claimed in claim 9, wherein it has dedicated entry means forsetting disabled mode.
 13. The phone as claimed in claim 9, wherein thememory is adapted to store an emergency information text string.
 14. Thephone as claimed in claim 9, wherein the memory is adapted to store anemergency information key.
 15. A network entry node having an EmergencyCall Handling function, wherein the Emergency Call Handling function isadapted to remove a postfix from a received emergency number withpostfix and store the postfix in an optional parameter field of an ISDNUser Part Initial Address Message send into the network.
 16. The networkentry node recited in claim 15, wherein said network entry node is aMobile Switching Centre.
 17. The network entry node recited in claim 15,wherein said network entry node is a Local Telephony Exchange. 18.(canceled)